Pilates and Its Benefits

The benefits of Pilates are unlike anything you can get from any other workout. When doing Pilates, you are not only getting stronger and fitter, you are also practicing corrective movement. The movements and exercises in Pilates train your body how to move without injury which can be beneficial in any exercise or everyday activity. Cooper Fitness Center Pilates Trainer Michelle Hoffman says that while no exercise regimen is the fountain of youth “Pilates comes pretty close with every exercise combining stretch, strength and control.”

“You work from the inside out. A lot of people call it the inner unit,” Pilates trainer Sarah Paxton says. “You’re working all the tiny muscles that hold your bones together — the muscles that people don’t really talk about.” Three key benefits how Pilates can benefit your everyday life include:

• Improve your strength, flexibility and agility
• Increase your mind and body awareness
• Restore your postural alignment

While most people are capable of performing Pilates, it does require a small learning curve considering the uniqueness of the workout. Participants usually begin with the most common piece of Pilates equipment, the reformer. It’s a raised platform with an adjustable bar, springs to create resistance for various exercises and a mat to support the back, neck and knees. “For the first time, clients feel the deepest core muscles supporting their trunks,” Paxton says. “This creates a general sense of well-being and satisfaction that is hard to find anywhere else but in a Pilates class.”

“[Pilates] teaches balanced muscle development through whole body movement. It highlights the parts that are working too hard and brings in the muscles that haven’t been doing their part, while coming into proper alignment. On top of all of this, stress relief!” – Lis Settle , Pilates Trainer

History
The history of the workout; however, isn’t as well-known and spans decades, multiple countries and historic events before becoming a staple in the gym. It all started with the workout’s creator and namesake, Joseph Pilates, who worked on three principles:

• Breath
• Whole-body health
• Whole-body commitment

“Pilates realigns, strengthens, corrects and increases range of motion, freeing up tight muscles and overused joints. Pilates focuses on the quality of the movement and not quantity.” – Viviana Lubertino , Pilates Trainer

Learn more about the history of Pilates and its creation in this timeline:

Benefits

With an internal focus on strength and balance, many people find themselves using muscles they have never used before. The transverse abdominal muscles are the deepest layer of your abdominals, making them very difficult to activate with any other form of exercise. However, Pilates is designed to work these muscles to strengthen even the deepest part of your core. Cooper Fitness Center Pilates Trainers share some of the benefits:

• “I have instructed a variety of people and helped them for a variety of reasons, from training for marathons, triathlons and sports teams to preparing for and recovering from surgery. It’s even helped me avoid major knee surgery in [her] 50s.” – Michelle Hoffman , Pilates Trainer
• “It is such a kind way to move, stretch, elongate muscles and create flexibility and strength.” – Mary Ellen Elkhay , Pilates Trainer
• “My oldest client right now is 86, but I have trained a 90-year-old Pilates equipment is conducive to people who have had injuries or may be missing a limb or are paralyzed. We have a client who is in a wheelchair. I have several clients who have Parkinson’s. The beauty of Pilates is there is no limit of your ability or age or size or limitations.” – Sarah Paxton , Pilates Trainer
• “[Pilates] gives better awareness and coordination of all body parts; Pilates helps make our bodies more beautiful.” – Kris Jaeckle , Pilates Trainer
• “No matter what your goals are for fitness, Pilates can be applied at any level and at any age. It not only strengthens one’s core but brings awareness to all joints for stability and mobility, which helps aid in posture and balance.” – Laura Hines , Pilates Trainer

Pilates can do wonders for your body, Cooper Fitness Center has certified Pilates Trainers that will help you reach your fitness goals, for more information visit, cooperfitnesscenter.com/Pilates . To schedule a private Pilates session contact Scotty Esquibel at 972.233.4832, ext. 4357 or email sesquibel@cooperfitnesscenter.com .